Are you planning on going with honed granite? If not I would not worry about it. You could prob compare it to dropping sauce on an unsealed freshly grouted tile floor. Without the sealer it would stain. If you are getting sealed granite I would not fret about it at all. I am guessing that you may have a sample from the "other" granite yard. Is that one sealed? Have you tested that sample? I would feel confident that if your granite is being professionally sealed you will be just fine. If you are going with honed then I would ask to change that to a sealed product. I would not fret, go with your instinct. You were able to get the color you want at the price you can afford. It should be just fine.

reamywhite-Thanks for the reply & reassuring words. I am planning on having it polished. I didn't test the other sample either. I know, dumb, DUMB move. I tested the other 6 white granites I brought home though, and not one of those stained. So I figured that this one would not either. And I even asked the guy today if kashmir white is more porous (as I have read) and he said no-granite is granite. (Which i know isn't completely true-my dad is a geologist!-but whatever).

I'm going to go back in the morning and tell him I'm unsatisfied with it, and ask him to give me a sealed sample. If that still stains like this, I'm going to have a heart attack!

FWIW, the guy I'm using is quite reputable in our area. I'm sure he doesn't want an unsatisfied customer....but I'm still worried.

I certainly don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I don't think I could sit back and not give my $.02 worth. My sister-in-law has polished Kashmir White and it has stained. And it is sealed. I think it was tomato sauce. Also the guys that installed my granite said that lighter granites are more porous than darker. They said there's even a difference in the weight (darker being heavier) because darker is more dense. He said he won't put Kashmir White in a kitchen - only a bath. So do with this info what you will - I just thought I should share.

Im sorry but I need to response to this. Kashmir white is very popular here in Iceland , in kitchens and bathrooms. And I have not heard of any trouble with staining. Is it possible that your staining has to do with bad sealers. I have had mine for two years now and it has not stained, I use tomato sauce like any other and have also spilled red vine on it. Could you have him double seal it or even triple and then see .I wish I could give you the name of the sealer they used on mine. .He told me to seal it every 3 to 5 years. I also have kashmir white on 3 of my bathroom floors, kitchen/ family room and big foyer. . There is no stain what so ever. the kitchen counters come from Italy and the tiles for the floors from China .

Well there you have it - 2 different experiences so you need to go with what you love and not worry about it! Do you want to settle for something you don't like as well just to avoid a stain (or maybe not)???

Wow that's a lot of different opinions. Yes i do agree that perhaps one sealer is better than another. i do also agree that you should take in your stained sample tomorrow and ask for a sealed one. If that stains then I would raise a stink. BTW did you place the deposit on your cc ? Because you can always call and dispute the charge telling them they sold you a product that is not holding up. They should remove the cc charge.

We went with Bianco River Silestone (white with grey veining) and no stains. I chopped fresh tomatoes last week and let them sit on the counter for an hour before I cleaned up and no stains. "In case you change your mind on the product" I got mine from e-counters. A little pricey but they have other whites that are much more affordable.

Thanks for all of your input and responses.

I was literally up all night worrying about this. I went in first thing this morning, and they told me I was an idiot for worrying about something staining on an unsealed sample. I told them that none of the other unsealed samples I had stained at all, even the Danby marble.

They again told me it didn't matter, that the sealant would protect it, etc. And that I should never leave something on the counter, should wipe it up immediately. :-/ Well, I have two small children and that just isn't realistic.

I kept trying to convey to them that I need something bulletproof. They sent me home with a sealed sample which I will abuse today. I told him I just wanted my money back, and they said no.

So I am going to use the sealed sample and go from there.
At this point, I don't even really want the Kashmir anymore, since I worry about cleaners taking the sealant off and then resulting in stains.

Ugh. I feel so sick to my stomach about this. I've put so much thought and planning into this kitchen for the last year. I finally pull the trigger and screw it up. Ugh.

whoa whoa whoa. You paid him with a credit card, can't you call the company and tell them you changed your mind and he won't refund your money? Isn't there a law that a buyer has 72 hours to change their mind?

Maybe there isn't a law in this case, but I still would call my credit card company, especially since the charge may not have posted yet.

Good luck to you, wish I could offer you more valuable advice.

I think you will be fine when the Kashmir White is sealed. If you love the granite then go for it. You are just feeling panicky because it is a big decision and you want to get it right, but if you've decided you don't like Kashmir White (sealed or not) then you should stand your ground with the fabricator and get something you love (even if you have to wait a few weeks to find the right slabs). Good luck!

I'm a KD and the fabricator that use offers a 'Dry Treat' sealer that he will warranty against staining for 15 years. I would check to see if you can get that kind of sealer for your stone. It typically adds about $4.50 to $5 per square foot more...but well worth it.

Click the link to read more pros opinions on Dry Treat for granite on another forum.

Kompy

Ps. You can always have it done after tops are installed but it's very smelly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dry Treat Granite Sealer

Around here you have 72 hours to cancel a contract.

I have carrara. Sealed. No stains. We are slobs.

If you can get out of it, do. It will make you peaceful. If you can't, I have a strong feeling that a good silicone based sealer will keep you safe.

The sealed kashmir white is on the bottom, and other white granite (forgot that one's name) is on the top, unsealed.

I put some hot sauce & olive oil on both, and the unsealed one wiped right off, w/o any trace of residue.

I looked up my credit card terms, and it says that if I am unsatisfied with a product, I can dispute it. But even then, I might be stuck with footing the bill if they deem the reason for my displeasure is not valid.

I'm going back in the AM. I honestly don't understand how they can think that is realistic to install in a kitchen!

Kompy-thanks for the link on the dry treat sealer. If I do end up getting stuck with this granite, I'm going to use that.

One thing about this kitchen redo is that I am getting much more assertive and competent at negotiating. I hate conflict of any kind, so this is a life lesson for me.

Thanks to all of you for your replies and understanding. My husband doesn't understand why I'm so upset, but then again he can look at a whole wall of granite samples and not really see a discernible difference between them other than the obvious colors.

I use American Express for all major purchases because they are so good at resolving disputes in favor of the consumer.

If you really want to try to get out of the contract, then you should write a nice but firm letter to the company today. Do it today, because some states allow you to rescind a home improvement related contract within a certain time period (it could be 72 hours or less, if your state has such a law). Send it via both fax and certified mail so you have proof of how soon after you ordered the product you canceled it. (The fax guarantees they receive it today, but the formality of certified mail sometimes carries more weight.) I would use language like the following:

"Dear _______:

As you know from our conversation in your store this morning, I am very concerned that the Kashmir White granite I ordered from your company will be too susceptible to staining to use as kitchen counters. I appreciate that you gave me a sample of sealed Kashmir White to take home to test. I took the sample home and promptly tested it with food samples. Unfortunately, certain food products stained the sample easily; therefore, the product is not suitable for my stated intended use as kitchen counters.

As I told you this morning, I would like to cancel the contract for Kashmir White counters and request that you reverse the charge for my $________ deposit. Because I am canceling within 48 hours [change time period if necessary] and before any templating or other work has been performed, I believe you should return my entire deposit."

If you have to dispute the charge with Mastercard, the letter and proof of when it was mailed and faxed may help your case. The letter establishes that you promptly notified the merchant that the product would not be suitable for your intended use before the merchant did any work, and you had the slab on reserve for a very short period of time, so the merchant is not harmed by your cancellation.

There is no guarantee this will work, but it is what I would do. Good luck.

Kaysd-

Thank you thank you thank you for typing that all out.
I copied it and I am going to send it today if he is reluctant again today when I go meet with him.

I did find that in CT, a homeowner has a 3 day cancellation period for home improvement contracts. Today is the third day, so it's game time.

Now I'm kind of irritated with him that he's playing such hardball with me while I am protected by the above law. It just seems unethical.

Here is a link that might be useful: CT Home Improvement Laws

Wishing you the best of luck! The sample does not look good.

We had a terrible experience almost 2 years ago with a heating contractor who installed the wrong size furnace (poorly, I may add). Long story short, we disputed it with the credit card company, still have the furnace and never had to pay for it.

Get on that letter!

Good luck! Wishing you a positive outcome!

Now, I don't know the answers to this....I'm just playing devil's advocate, so throwing some thoughts out to you:

Is this company listed as a home improvement contractor on the state government link that you linked? Does your contract specify that you have 3 days to cancel?

I'm just wondering if this type of business falls under the home improvement umbrella.

Thanks again for all of your sympathy and advice with this situation. All of your good wishes must have worked, because I have a positive resolution.

So I must have caught him in a good mood this morning, because he agreed to let me change out the stone, even for one in a higher price bracket, for the same price. He said that no one else has ever had an issue with the kashmir, and I just told him I must be really good at making a mess (uh, which is true).

I guess it was that or refund my money, and obviously he wants to make a sale. So, I feel good about it and I'm happy.

I wish he had a better selection of white stones to choose from, but it is what it is. I may just do a black stone now. I'd rather worry about fingerprints and smudges than olive oil & hot sauce stains.

Thanks again--you have all been so incredibly helpful. I love this forum.

Sabjimata-Ugh. I hate dealing with those types of issues. I'm glad you didn't have to end up paying for it, but I hope your heat works properly and efficiently! LOL.

Is it the staining that made you hate it or the actual stone? Any stone/counter will show some marks here and there--and sealant makes all the difference. I had not heard that Kashmir White was so porous. In any case it sounds like you had a positive solution. What is your next choice? Do not fret over the perfect stone, they are all lovely and just choose one that will stand the test of time best.

congratulations!

What colors are your cabinets? My fav granite is bianco antico which looks great in a white, black or wood kitchen. Good luck with your new color decision.